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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Participating in State and Local Government

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze the structure, organization, and powers of State legislatures. They outline the overall shape of the office of the governor. Students analyze the structure of local governments as creations of the State. They describe...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powers of National and State Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define term federalism, identify the powers granted to state and national government, and identify powers shared by the state and national governments.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Constitution And Federal/State Relationship

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the Constitution for references to the relationship between state and federal governments. They examine Supreme Court cases for examples of the division of government between state and federal powers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Connections

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders take part in activities that appeal to many learning styles (kinesthetic, verbal, etc...) to help them create a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast state and national government.
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Website
The White House

The White House: Our Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Overviews of the major elements of U.S. government, compiled and published by the White House: three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, judicial), the Constitution, federal agencies and commissions, elections and...
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Website
Other

Firstgov.gov: u.s. State and Local Employees

For Students 9th - 10th
This page allows the visitor to search by topic or type of issues affecting the government. This site also has many links to federal programs.
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Website
Other

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
The state breaks down the major categories of "Programs and Services," "Resources," "Grants," "State Standards," and "Education Legislation" into a wide variety of sub-headings. These provide detailed information to parents, teachers,...
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Government and Citizens

For Teachers 4th
A learning module on state government. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Students learn how an elementary class was responsible for...
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Website
Other

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

For Students 9th - 10th
The official site of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts features information on the state and local governments, resources, tourism, and the like.
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Website
Other

California State Board of Education

For Students 9th - 10th
The State Board of Education (SBE) is the governing and policy-making body of the California Department of Education. The SBE sets K-12 education policy in the areas of standards, instructional materials, assessment, and accountability.
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Website
Other

Western Governors' Association

For Students 9th - 10th
An organization of governors from Western states, this website identifies and addresses key policy and governance issues in the West.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Action. Federalism: u.s. V. the Sates

For Teachers 9th - 10th
U.S. v. the States delves into the ongoing constitutional dilemma between the federal government and individual state governments illustrated through Video on Demand, activities, readings, etc.
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Handout
Legislative Reference Library of Texas

Legislative Reference Library of Texas: Lieutenant Governors of Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
A table showing all of the Lieutenant Governors of Texas since 1846. Lists names, party affiliation, years in office, and legislature sessions they sat in on. Linked to each name is a brief profile with a list of political offices held...
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Website
Other

Mississippi Department of Education

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site provides access to all areas of public education in the state. Links explore such topics as grants, funding, awards and scholarships, technology, leadership, teaching certification, curriculum concerns, school and student data,...
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Website
Other

Vermont: Official State Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you can learn the most current information about Vermont's state government. Includes links to homepages of federal, judicial, and executive branches. Also includes extensive information about tourism and recreational activities....
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Article
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: Relationship of State and National Legal Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
This lengthy essay describes the balance between state and federal judiciary courts and touches on independence, integration, power limits and immunities.
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Website
Other

Arizona Department of Education

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
The Arizona Department of Education website is a valuable resource for information pertaining to education in the state of Arizona. Content includes state standards and accountability issues, certification information, various...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: The Great State

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this overview lesson, students learn about state government structure, functions, lawmaking, and relationship with local government.
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Activity
George Mason University

George Mason University: Midwest Mapping Project [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This document details a research project in which four researchers independently created plans for the redistricting of voting districts for both state and federal legislatures, seeking to create voting districts that would meet both...
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: State Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the way state government is organized along with a discussion of the history and reasons for state government autonomy.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Republicanism

For Students 9th - 10th
The framers of the Constitution had a great distaste for the monarchial society of Great Britain. See how this was reflected in the checks and balances they wrote into the Constitution in an effort to create a working republic.
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
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Activity
iCivics

I Civics: Who Represents Me?

For Students 3rd - 6th
Do you know who represents you in the federal, state and local government? Do you know how to get in touch with them? This web quest will guide you through a number of web resources that will give you information about your...
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Website
Other

State of Rhode Island General Assembly

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a lot of useful information on the state of Rhode Island. It provides information such as updates on the state government and its general assembly and current events.